Ryosuke Yoshida, Visions of Mana Director, Moves from NetEase to Square Enix
This surprising industry shift sees Ryosuke Yoshida, director of Visions of Mana and former Capcom game designer, transition from NetEase to Square Enix. The announcement, made via his Twitter (X) account on December 2nd, leaves many details surrounding his departure from Ouka Studios unanswered.
Yoshida's Role at Square Enix Remains Unclear
Yoshida played a key role in the development of Visions of Mana, collaborating with talent from Capcom and Bandai Namco to deliver a critically acclaimed title featuring enhanced graphics. Released on August 30th, 2024, the game's success marked a significant achievement before his departure. While his move to Square Enix in December is confirmed, the specific projects he'll be involved in remain undisclosed.
NetEase's Retrenchment in Japan
Yoshida's departure aligns with NetEase's reported scaling back of investments in Japanese studios. A Bloomberg article from August 30th highlighted NetEase and Tencent's decisions to curtail losses after several successful collaborations with Japanese developers. Ouka Studios, Yoshida's former employer, has been directly impacted, with NetEase significantly reducing its Tokyo workforce.
This strategic shift reflects both companies' focus on the revitalizing Chinese gaming market, exemplified by the success of Black Myth: Wukong, a recipient of prestigious awards including Best Visual Design and Ultimate Game of the Year at the 2024 Golden Joystick Awards.
A Shift in Focus
The year 2020 saw NetEase and Tencent invest heavily in the Japanese market amidst a period of stagnation in China. However, apparent friction between these large companies and smaller Japanese developers has emerged. The larger entities prioritize global market expansion for acquired franchises, while Japanese developers often prioritize retaining control over their intellectual properties (IPs).
While not entirely withdrawing from Japan, NetEase and Tencent are adopting a more cautious approach, aiming to minimize losses and capitalize on the resurgence of the Chinese gaming industry.
